To socket or not to socket?

[J.G. Wong]

I have found that CMOS chips need socketing if you build at my skill
level and that some opamps run close to their physical threshold.  Stuff
you build breaks unless you are one of the building king dogs (there are
good ones on this list). If you seat a chip in a socket properly it will
do fine.

I actually found this out working in studios. Good stuff was retrofitted
with sockets everywhere.  I also noticed that my Moog modular has
transistor sockets and a lot of other good synthesizers socket  key
chips (especially SSM and CEM chips).

G Wong (fiveman)

Michael Moncur wrote:
> 
> Hello, I've been lurking on this list for a couple of weeks and am just
> getting into DIY synths. My main experience is at the complete opposite end
> of the spectrum (digital synths and software synthesis) so I'm interested
> in going back to my roots, as it were.
> 
> I do have experience designing, soldering and assembling circuits, but not
> with synths specifically, so I'll undoubtedly have lots of newbie
> questions. Here's one now.
> 
> I just received the PAiA FatMan kit, which should be a good starting point,
> and am starting on it now. One thing that caught me off guard was this
> statement in the instructions:
> 
>     "Sockets are notorious for being the weak links in the chain of
> connections between electronic components. We use them only in places where
> their advantages outweigh their lack of reliability."
> 
> This has generally been the opposite of my philosophy, but perhaps things
> are different with synths. I'm tempted to add sockets for those ICs that
> don't come with them. Would this adversely affect the circuit much? Has
> anyone done this?
> 
> I'm also planning a few homebrew synths, mostly based on Tom G's excellent
> plans. Should I plan on avoiding sockets for the ICs in these too?
> 
> Thanks for the info and for the making this one of the most useful lists
> I've ever subscribed to.
> 
> --
> michael moncur   mgm at starlingtech.com   http://www.starlingtech.com/
> "I don't have any solution, but I certainly admire the problem."
>                  -- Ashleigh Brilliant